According to the Tasnim News Agency’s economic group, the banking system of each country reflects the level of economic, technological, and intellectual maturity of that society. Today, the introduction of concepts such as “economic intelligence” and “lean thinking” into this system is not only a sign of financial modernization but also a vital necessity for survival and competition in a data-driven world. Combining these two concepts can transform Iranian banking from a static and costly state to an agile, learning, and value-creating system; a system that, instead of focusing on the volume of operations, relies on the depth of economic insight and the creation of value for customers and society.

Economic intelligence means utilizing big data, analyzing trends, and extracting actionable knowledge from economic information. When this tool is combined with the philosophy of lean thinking, the result is the elimination of waste, optimization of decisions, and intelligent direction of resources. In fact, lean thinking determines the way and method of effective use of economic intelligence; That is, using information to reduce complexity and create a smooth flow of value in all banking processes.

In advanced countries, economic intelligence has become one of the pillars of financial policymaking. For example, in Japan, banks have been able to reduce the credit assessment process from a few weeks to a few hours by relying on smart data and a lean approach. In Sweden, economic data has been integrated into macro policymaking in such a way that banking decisions directly affect the sustainable growth of national industries. Islamic countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia have also upgraded Islamic banking from a traditional form to an intelligent and transparent model by utilizing data analysis systems and institutionalizing lean principles; in such a way that social satisfaction and public trust in the financial system in these countries have grown significantly.

In Iran, there is extensive capacity to implement such an approach. Banks are faced with a huge volume of transactional data, customer information, financial records and credit behavior, of which only a small part has been converted into operational knowledge. With the introduction of lean thinking, this data can be a source of identifying bottlenecks, redundant processes and inefficient decisions. When economic intelligence systematically penetrates the decision-making layers of banks, many costly and unproductive activities will be eliminated and replaced by value-oriented processes.

Real transformation requires a review of upstream policies and national programs related to banking. Lean thinking requires that regulatory structures be simple, agile and redefined; so that data becomes a national asset and decisions are based on real-time analysis. In the experience of countries such as Germany and Canada, the implementation of national data-driven policies has led to a significant leap in the financial innovation index, banking efficiency, and economic transparency in less than a decade. By formulating a national strategy for “Lean Economic Intelligence,” Iran can also reach higher levels in the region and even lower global rankings from its current position in the financial innovation index, which is around the middle of the region.

The result of establishing such a system will be exponential growth in several key indicators: capital efficiency, customer response speed, human resource productivity, and public trust in the banking network. For example, reducing the time for reviewing facilities from several days to several hours, or reducing the error rate of credit decisions to less than one percent, are natural consequences of establishing lean economic intelligence. At the organizational level, eliminating duplication of work, reducing operating costs, and increasing coordination between units will lead to sustainable growth in the financial performance of banks.

Lean economic intelligence also improves the level of employee learning and satisfaction. In such a structure, employees are no longer mere executors, but analysts who play a role in the process of continuous improvement. The organizational culture changes from passivity to participation, and decisions are made based on data and collective experience. This change strengthens the sense of belonging, creativity, and motivation in the workplace, ultimately leading to increased productivity and organizational satisfaction.

At the societal level, the effects of this transformation will be more tangible. Smart and lean banking will simplify and clarify financial processes for people, reduce costs, and increase the possibility of personal financial planning. By improving access to finance for small businesses, production and employment will also accelerate. As a result, public trust and hope in the economic system will increase, as citizens see that data, fairness, and efficiency are truly at the service of their lives.

The future is bright and achievable. If Iran’s banking system can seize the opportunity for synergy between economic intelligence and lean thinking, we can expect the banking productivity index to grow at least twice over the next five years, and Iran’s position in the global financial development index will move from the regional average to the OECD average. This move will not only increase bank profitability, but also rebuild social trust, strengthen financial innovation, and create a dynamic ecosystem in the national economy.

Ultimately, economic intelligence with a pure thinking approach is a path from “raw information” to “decision-making wisdom.” If this path is accompanied by national will, transparent policymaking, and intellectual renewal, it can turn Iran into a model of smart banking in the Islamic world. The future of the banking system is one in which data creates value not in archives but in everyday decisions, and every smart decision will be a step towards a purer, more humane, and more hopeful economy.

* Seyyed Mohsen Tabatabaei Mozdabadi; Faculty Member, Islamic Azad University

Tasnim News Agency